Key Points and OutcomesThe following are key takeaways from the October 18th Centers PEG meeting that staff will consider as part of the growth scenarios analysis:

Find ways of looking at the relationship between where housing and job growth is happening, and include jobs as a component of complete neighborhoods.

Consider including some measurement of travel time to jobs, not just proximity to transit.

As context for the scenarios, include maps that show where development has actually occurred. The default scenario diagram corresponds to the 2040 Growth Concept, but there is a gap between this and where development has been happening (with much development taking place in residential areas, rather than being concentrated in centers and main streets).

As part of the growth scenarios analysis, identify what implementation tools can be used to guide growth and to achieve equitable investment in commercial development and jobs across the city.

What are the costs and benefits of growth? IfEast Portlandis going to add 41,000 households, there needs to be equity in terms of public investments in line with this growth.

Would be useful to have a map showing where excess development capacity exists

How does the residential growth relate to with job growth and job location? Do residential projections work in tandem with employment growth?

A study of access to transit cannot look solely at proximity; in some cases a bus stop may be close, but there are no sidewalks to get there safely.

Be careful in how you present the Default Scenario to the public. The Default Scenario map shows the desired outcome of current policies (centers and corridors), but is not reflect recent development. A map is needed to show what has been happening in terms of permit activity. Why has growth not happened in certain hubs?

What about jobs? Jobs need to be part of complete neighborhoods.

Be clear that while the growth in the scenarios may not increase impacts on watersheds, existing growth and development continues to have a significant impact.

The jobs-housing balance is very important. We need to plan for more jobs closer to neighborhood centers, together with concentrations of housing.

Need to be thinking about what people want in their neighborhoods: transit, sidewalks, housing, affordability, etc. Match zoning and investments that bring those services and desired outcomes.

Consider how to achieve an equitably distribution of jobs and commercial investments.

Do not approach growth in silos for housing and jobs. Growth should also be looking at access to commercial services, mixed-use areas, etc.

Could economic development and a jobs strategy be a way to direct housing growth?

Need to think not only about retail/services jobs, but well-paying industrial and institutional jobs in centers.

Jobs are important, but it may not be practical to have specific jobs targets in centers.

It would be helpful to know what is happening on the ground. What are the current development patterns? The Central City focus is not an equitable option. The default scenario that focuses on centers and corridors appears to be the best as it distributes growth more broadly. Can we be more intentional about growth?

What tools do we have to influence growth patterns? It would be helpful to have a list of tools that can be used to impact growth in various ways.

When talking aboutEast Portland, Gateway seems to be a key piece which has not seen sufficient investment.

A regional context would be helpful to better understand howPortland’s growth relates to the growth of surrounding communities in Clackamas andWashingtonCounties.

PEG members are encouraged to read Portland Plan Background Reports recently adopted by City Council on a variety of topics including economic development, housing and infrastructure.

Implementation tools (zoning, development standards, others) - need to understand the types of tools and resources available

Move the multi-generational conversation up in the schedule (include discussion of Baby Boom migration, youth)

Regional context

Move up cross-PEG issues identification

Discussion Draft of the Comp Plan – discuss sooner

Neighborhood character and green spaces

Elements of neighborhood centers

PEG members generally agreed with the concept of slightly longer meetings as needed to cover the topics listed above provided the meetings are more efficient. Less presentation of existing conditions is needed. Need to be clearer about what kind of feedback from PEG members is needed for each discussion.